y gone.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say the place was haunted!" cried Luke.

"Oh, don't say that!" exclaimed Polly Vane, looking scared. "I don't
wish to see any ghosts."

Doctor Clay was informed of what had occurred, and he had another
search conducted. But it was all to no purpose--the things were
missing, and that was all there was to it.

It may well be imagined that with so much going on it was next to
impossible for Dave and Roger to study. Yet they did their best, not
wishing to drop behind again as they had during the trip to Cave
Island. Job Haskers did not let up on them, and many a time they
wished he would leave Oak Hall and that they might never see him
again.

One afternoon Roger came to Dave in great haste and beckoned for him
to come outside.

"I think we had better follow Nat Poole," said the senator's son. "I
think there is something in the wind."

"What makes you think that?"

"Nat has been packing a valise and he has put in the strangest
things--some clothing, some bottles of medicine, some rope, and a
thing that looks like a crown made of brass."

"A crown made of brass? Oh, Roger, maybe that wild man--who calls
himself the King of Sumatra----"

"That's the idea, Dave, I see you've caught on. Come on, before Nat
gets away from us."

Our hero needed no further urging, and soon he and Roger were on their
way to the gymnasium, where the senator's son had, by pure accident,
seen Nat Poole packing the things mentioned in his handbag.

As they approached, they saw the money-lender's son trundle out a
bicycle he owned and mount it, swinging his valise over his shoulder
by a strap. He looked back to see if he was being observed, but Dave
and Roger were on guard and quickly dove out of sight behind some
bushes.

"We'll have to follow on our own wheels," said Dave.

Their old bicycles were still in the gymnasium. They were not in very
good condition, but the tires were air-tight and that was enough.
Without delay, they trundled the machines out, and leaping into the
saddles, pedaled after Nat.

The course of the money-lender's son was along the river road, and he
followed this for the best part of a mile. Then he branched off on a
side-road leading to what were known as the Chester Hills. It was hard
work pushing the machine up the hills, but Nat kept at it steadily,
and Dave and Roger followed. Strange to say, the money-lender's son
did not once look back after leaving the school. Ev